KUALA LUMPUR, January 16 – The iconic Istana Budaya, a prominent arts center in Malaysia, will undergo a temporary closure starting from January 15, 2024, for a period of two years. The decision, endorsed by the Malaysian Public Works Department, is part of an initiative to enhance and maintain the structural integrity of the building, particularly focusing on Istana Budaya’s roof. Throughout this period, any performances or events at Istana Budaya will be suspended until January 5, 2026, with plans to reopen aligning with Visit Malaysia 2026.
While temporarily closed for live performances, Istana Budaya will continue to engage the public through the “Kempen Gerak ke seluruh Malaysia” campaign, featuring flagship products such as the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra (Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia – OTM), the National Symphony Orchestra (Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan – OSK), and Artistana. During the closure, Istana Budaya welcomes collaborations with local companies and artists to organize performances both domestically and internationally.
